Machine for producing separable fastening elements



J. BILLARANT Oct. 10, 1967 MACHINE FOR PRODUCING SEPARABLE FASTENING ELEMENTS l7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Dec. 17, 1962 J. BILLARANT 3,345,688 MACHINE FOR PRODUCING SEPARABLE FASTENING ELEMENTS Oct. 10, 1967 17 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Dec. 17, 1962 Jin r n i m NM T w E. H. .E j

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MACHINE FOR PRODUCING SEPARABLE FASTENING ELEMENTS Oct. 10, 1967 l7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed Dec. 17, 1962 Oct. 10, 1967 J. BILLARANT 3,345,638

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MACHINE FOR PRODUCING SEPARABLE FASTENING ELEMENTS Original Filed Dec. 17, 1962 17 Sheets-Sheet l1 Oct. 10, 1967 J. IBILLARANT 3,345,688

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MACHINE FOR PRODUCING SEPARABLE FASTENING ELEMENTS Original Filed Dec. 1.7, 1962 17 Sheets-Sheet 15 Oct. 10, 1967 J. BILLARANT MACHINE FOR PRODUCING SEPARABLE FASTENING ELEMENTS Original Filed Dec. 1'7, 1962 17 Sheets-Sheet 16 J. BILLARANT Oct. 10, 1967 MACHINE FOR PRODUCING SEPARABLE FASTENING ELEMENTS l7 Sheets Sheet 17 Original Filed Dec. 1'7, 1962 1 I I- l I- -1 United States Patent 3,345,688 MACHINE FOR PRODUCING SEPARABLE FASTENING ELEMENTS Jean Billarant, 2 Ave. Odette, Nogent-sur-Marne, France Original application Dec. 17, 1962, Ser. No. 245,247, now Patent No. 3,277,547, dated Oct. 11, 1966. Divided and this application Feb. 7, 1966, Ser. No. 545,181

36 Claims. (Cl. 18-5) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A machine for producing yieldable strips containing either loop-shaped or hook-shaped elements, in which the loop forming threads are shaped by interengaging bars, and a base layer of plastic is applied.

This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 245,247 filed Dec. 17, 1962, now U.S. Patent No. 3,277,547 issued Oct. 11, 1966, entitled, Separable Fastening Element.

My invention has primarily for its object a machine for producing yielding strips provided with elongated hook or loop-shaped elements. The strips set forth in my aforementioned patent are intended in particular for the execution of closing or securing means operating instantaneously through the engagement of elastic hook-shaped elements on one strip with the loop-shaped elements on another strip, the opening or release being obtained also instantaneously under the action of a mere stress providing a separation between said strips so as to open the hook-shaped element-s which return then into their original shape, under the action of their own elasticity.

My improved machine for the execution of a yielding strip provided with loop-shaped elongated elements consists of means for providing a sheet of parallel threads and giving said sheet a corrugated shape in a longitudinal direction after which a surface of said sheet thus shaped is coated with a liquid or pasty material adapted to be come rigid and to form elementary supports adhering to the corresponding peaks of the corrugations of the thread sheet while the other sections of the threads form loops on the other surface of the sheet of threads.

In a first embodiment, I resort to threads of a plastic material such as superpolyarnides, for instance that sold under the registered trade name nylon which threads are subjected, after formation of the loops, to a suitable treatment, say a heat treatment, so as to fix the shape of said loops.

As concerns the hook-shaped elements, I cut a section of the loops formed by the threads at a predetermined distance from their apices.

The machine is applicable as a whole more particularly to the execution of hooking or securing means including a section provided with hook-shaped elements and a section provided with loop-shaped elements.

My improved machine includes a frame, a series of parallel shaping bars, a series of parallel counter-bars, the sizes of said bars and counter-bars and their spacings being such that the counter-bars may be brought into the intervals between the bars, means for feeding a sheet of threads of thermoplastic material, chiefly superpolyamides such as those referred to for instance, between the two series of bars and counter-bars, means for urging in succession the counter-bars and the sections of the sheet of threads extending between them, between the shaping bars, means for laying on the continuous surface constituted by the alternating bars and counter-bars, a sheet of yielding plastic material so that the apices of the loops of threads which are urged by the counter-bars into the intervals separating the bars, may be embedded in said 3,345,688 Patented Oct. 10, 1967 plastic sheet, means for urging the counter-bars away from the bars and lastly means for separating the shaping bars from the sheet of plastic material carrying the threads.

In a preferred embodiment, the shaping bars are carried by a first endless chain constituted by two rows of elongated members or links pivotally secured in sequence, the bars having their ends carried in two links facing each other whereas in a similar manner, the counter-bars are carried by a second endless chain of which the operative strand extends along a section of the chain of shaping bars, the two chains being driven synchronously.

In a preferred embodiment, intended more particularly for the execution of yielding strips provided with loopshaped elements, that is, more accurately, elements constituted by closed loops, the shaping bars slide in the chain carrying them and there are provided. means for drawing them towards one side of said chain after laying the sheet of yielding plastic material until the space extending between two cooperating links is released with a view to forming a passage for said sheet of yielding plastic material carrying the loops which are to remain in their final closed condition while further means are adapted to urge thenafter said bars back into their original position.

According to a further embodiment, intended more particularly for the execution of yielding strips provided with elements forming elastic hooks, the machine includes furthermore cutting means adapted to ensure the cutting of one of the sides of the loops of threads which are held in the yielding sheet of plastic material, at a predetermined distance from their apices, with a view to transforming said loops into hooks.

My invention provides for the novel articles of manu facture, as is the subject of aforementioned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 245,247, said novel articles of manufacture being constituted by yielding strips carrying elongated hook-shaped or loop-shaped elements.

My invention will be better understood from the reading of the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings illustrating by way of examples and by no means in a limiting sense, an embodiment of a machine according to my invention, which machine is adapted to produce yielding strips carrying hookshaped elements and an embodiment of a machine for executing yielding strips carrying loop-shaped elements.

In said drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the machine,

FIGS. 2 and 3 are respectively plan and side views corresponding to FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a vertical longitudinal sectional View substantially through line IV-IV of FIG. 2,

FIG. 5 is on a larger scale, a cross-section through line VV of FIG. 1,

FIG. 6 is a horizontal cross-section through line VI-VI of FIG. 5, after removal of the counter-bars,

FIG. 7 is a vertical longitudinal cross-section through line VII-VII of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7a shows on a larger scale a detail of FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 is, on a still larger scale, a cross-section through line VIII-VIII of FIG. 5,

FIG. 9 is also, on a larger scale, an illustration of a single counter-bar as it appears in FIG. 5,

FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 are vertical cross-sections passing respectively through lines X-X, XI--XI and XII-XII of FIG. 9,

FIG. 13 is a horizontal cross-section through line passing .XIIIXIII of FIG. 9,

FIG. 14 shows on a still larger scale, a detail of FIG. 9 along a sectional line XIV-XIV of said FIG. 9,

FIG. 15 is a front view of a separate key in the position illustrated in FIG. 5 but on a larger scale.

FIG. 16 is a side view corresponding to FIG. 15,

FIGS. 17 and 18 are also, on a larger scale, horizontal cross-sections executed respectively through line XII-XII and XVIIIXVIII of FIG. 5,

FIG. 19 is a sectional view through line XIX-XIX of FIG. 5,

FIG. 20 is again, on a larger scale, a vertical longitudinal partial cross-section through line XXXX of FIG. 2.

FIG. 21 is a partial cross-section through line XXIXXI of FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is, on a larger scale, a transverse cross-section through line XXII-XXII of FIG. 4 showing the whole arrangement for cutting the thread loops with a view to producing hooks.

FIG. 23 is a cross-section through the broken line XXIIIXXIII of FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is a cross-section through the broken line XXIVXXIV of FIG. 3.

FIG. 25 is a vertical cross-section through line XXV-XXV of FIG. 2.

FIGS. 26 and 27 are respectively front and side view of a cutter shown alone.

FIG. 28 shows, on a larger scale, a detail of FIG. 25 defined by the circle XXVIII.

FIG. 29 shows, on a larger scale, the manner of operating of a cutter, shown in the same manner as in FIG. 25.

FIG. 30 shows, on a larger scale and cross-sectionally, a portion of a novel article of manufacture thus obtained.

FIG. 31 shows also on a larger scale and cross-sectionally a portion of the novel article of manufacture obtained in its completely finished condition.

FIG. 32 is a longitudinal vertical cross-section of the machine.

FIG. 33 is, on a larger scale, a partial cross-sectional view through line A-A of FIG. 32.

FIG. 34 is a horizontal cross-section executed substantially along the broken line B-B of FIG. 33.

FIG. 35 illustrates the main section of FIG. 33 show- .ing the parts in another position,

FIG. 36 shows, on a still larger scale, a cross-section through the broken line CC of FIG. 35,

FIG. 37 shows diagrammatically the shape of the arrangement including the slideways controlling the bars and the guide of the bars,

FIG. 38 is on a larger scale, an illustration of a detail of FIG. 32,

FIG. 39 is a plan view corresponding to FIG. 38, and

FIG. 40 shows, on a larger scale and cross-sectionally, a portion of the novel article of manufacture obtained, in its finished condition.

The machine illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 is entirely carried inside a frame generally designated by the reference number 1. The machine includes chiefly an upper chain 2 for the shaping bars, a lower chain 3 for the counterbars, a furnace 4, a cooling system 41, an arrangement for cutting the loops and forming the books thereby, means 6 for separating the finished product from the upper chain 2, means 7 for controlling the finished product and means 8 for storing the product on spools. A strip of plastic material is laid over the threads 11 of a suitable thermoplastic material such as superpolyamides, for instance the material sold under the trade name nylon, as provided by a suitable conventional extruding machine 12 located next to the frame 1 and of which the extruding head 13 (FIG. 3) is adjacent the upper surface of the lower strand of the chain 2 of shaping bars.

The sheet of threads 11 is fed by a suitable conventional creel which is not illustrated and is provided with individual adjustable tensioning means.

The upper chain 2 runs over two terminal drums 16 and 17 and over an upper guiding drum 18 provided with means which are not illustrated for adjusting the tensioning of said chain. The latter is driven an electric motor provided with a speed reducer 19 through the agency of a chain or belt transmission 21.

The lower chain 3 passes over two drums 22 and 23 and is driven starting from the terminal drum 17 of the upper chain through a transmission including a bevel gear 24 rigid with the drum 17, a bevel pinion 25 secured to the end of an oblique coupling shaft 26 and engaging said bevel pinion 24, a further bevel pinion 27 rigid with the other end of said oblique shaft and a bevel pinion 28 rigid with the drum 22 and meshing with said bevel pinion 27. The diameters of the drums 17 and 22 and the gear ratios of the bevel gear pairs 2445 and 27-28, are such that the two chains progress at the same linear speed. In order to make up for any possible shifting of the length of one chain with reference to the length of the other chain, the oblique shaft 26 is constituted by two sections which are interconnected by a frictional coupling sleeve 29.

The two drums 22 and 23 of the lower chain are carried by a horizontal support 32, the vertical position of which on the upright 33 is adjustable. It is also possible to release completely the lower chain with reference to the upper chain by lowering the support 32 into the position illustrated in dot and dash lines. To this end, the coupling sleeve 29 is provided preferably with two telescopically engaging parts which are not illustrated.

The lower strand of the upper chain 2 rests substantially throughout its length on guiding members 35 extending through the furnace or kiln 4 whereas the upper strand of the lower chain rests on other horizontal guiding members 36 which are much shorter than the guiding members 35.

The heating elements for the furnace or kiln 4 are constituted in the example illustrated by lamps 37. Glazed doors '38 allow inspecting and entering the inside of the kiln.

At the output of the kiln is located the abovementioned cooling system for the product, which system 41 is equipped with means for blowing air onto the product and which are not illustrated.

The upper chain is constituted by two rows of links 45 as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7, said rows being interconnected by further links 46, as provided by the pivots 47. Two links 45 facing each other are interconnected by bars 48, the ends of which are clamped between the inner surface of the corresponding link and a plate 51 (see FIG. 17) which is secured to the link 45 by screws 52.

Each bar 48 is constituted in the example illustrated by a small steel rod having a rectangular cross-section with a breadth of 0 .8 mm. and a height of 1.2 mm. Each bar end is fitted in a transverse groove of a corresponding rectangular cross-section such as 45a (FIG. 7a), formed in the lower surface of each link 45.

The longitudinal positioning of the steel bars in the groove 45a of a link 45 is ensured by a piano wire 53 housed in a groove of a corresponding cross-section formed in the lower surface of the link longitudinally of the latter. The end of each bar abuts thus substantially against the corresponding lateral surface of the piano wire.

In FIG. 5, are shown the horizontal guiding members 35 also shown in FIG. 4 and inside which slide to either side the systems formed by the links 45 and the cooperating plates 51. Said guiding members are two in number and each is provided with a cross-section in the shape of a laterally open U, the openings in the two U-shaped crosssections facing each other.

The structure of the lower chain 3 is more intricate since it includes a succession of lower links 61 (FIGS. 5 to 7), which are also interconnected with one another through the links 64 as provided by the pivots 63.

In the upper surface of each link 61 are formed two horizontal longitudinal positioning grooves in which are secured through screws 65, two multiple guides 66 (see FIG. 18), the outer vertical flat surfaces of which extending in parallelism with the longitudinal direction of the link are provided with a series of vertical grooves 66a (FIG. 18) throughout their length.

In each groove 66a, may slide the inner edge of one of the two legs of a member 67 forming a counter-bar of a substantially ortico-shape (see also FIGS. 9 to 13). Two auxiliary plates 64 secured by screws 70 to the upper surface of the guiding members 66, prevent said counterbars from being shifted upwardly and being disengaged with reference to said guiding members.

The upper horizontal section of each counter-bar carries a projection 68 facing downwardly and provided with a medial vertical slot 69 serving as a guide for a key 71 (see also FIGS. and 16). To this end, there are secured to one surface of the key 71, two shouldered guiding studs 73 secured by means of two rivots 72 and of which the cylindrical shanks are housed in said vertical slot 69 formed in the counter-bar, whereas their collars 74 engage a corresponding groove 75 cut along the periphery of said slot. The spacing between the axes of the two guiding studs is such that the key may slide verti cally with reference to the counter-bar, by a predetermined amount as will be disclosed hereinafter.

The key 71 is urged upwardly with reference to the counter-bar by a piano wire 76 forming a hairpin shaped spring of which the free end engages the lower surface of the upper guiding stud 73 whereas its other end is fitted in a groove 77 (FIGS. 9 and 14) formed in the rear surface of the counter-bar. The sections of the spring adjacent the key are housed in a broad cut 78 (FIGS. 9

and 11) formed in the rear surface of the counter-bar.

The upper edge of the key 71 is provided with notches 79 the spacing of which is equal to the spacing of the threads and the depth of which is less than the diameter of said threads. Said notches are adapted to securely hold the threads in position.

The upper end of each counter-bar 67 and of each key 71 is provided in its middle with a notch 70 and 80 respectively, the purpose of which will be disclosed hereinafter.

Each of the two depending arms of a counter-bar 67 is provided with a lateral projection 81 directed out wardly and engaging a slideway 82 (FIG. rigid with the corresponding horizontal guiding member 36.

Considering the slideways '82 in the direction of progression of the operative strands of the two chains, said slideways 82 include in succession: a horizontal section 82a for which the upper edge of the counter-bars 67 lies clearly underneath the shaping bars 48, a sloping upwardly directed section 82b the slope of which is about 20 to in the example illustrated, a horizontal section 820 for which the upper edge of the counter-bars 67 lies substantially at the level of the lower surface of the shaping bars 48, a second upwardly directed section 82d which, in the example illustrated, has a slope of a horizontal section 82e for which the upper edge of the counter-bars 67 lies accurately at the same level as the upper surface of the shaping bars 48, the upper section of each counter-bar being engaged between two bars, a downwardly directed section 82 a horizontal section 82g located at a level very slightly underneath the level of the horizontal section 826, say only one millimeter lower and then a downwardly directed section 8211 and lastly a horizontal rest section located at the same level as the first section 82a.

The breadth of the counter-bars 67 is equal to the breadth of the gap separating two successive bars, and consequently, when the counter-bars are located in positions for which their lateral studs 81 are housed in the sections file of the slideways 82, the upper edges of the bars and counter-bars form a flat continuous surface.

The horizontal edges of the front surface (in the direction of progression of the counter-bars), of the projections 81 of the counter-bars are provided with bevels 6 81a, 81b (FIG. 12) which further their sliding along the slideways 82.

The ends of the upper edges of the counter-bars are bevelled on both sides, as shown at 6 7a and 67b in FIG. 10, so that they may readily engage the notches 51a (FIGS. 5 and 17) of the plates 51, when the counter-bars rise. Said notches 51a in the plates 51 are staggered with reference to the grooves 45a in the lower surface of the links 45 inside which are housed the ends of the shaping bars 48, since the counter-bars are adapted to engage the gaps between the bars. When the counter-bars have entered entirely the gaps between the bars, the notched edges 79 of the keys 71 engage the lower surfaces of the corresponding bars, under the action of the slightly deformed spring 76.

Substantially in registry with the steep upwardly sloping section 82d (FIG. 20) of the slideways 82 controlling the rising and the sinking of the counter-bars, is arranged a roller 85 (FIGS. 4, 5 and 19) of a special structure, adapted to guide and to hold the bars having a very reduced cross'section during the introduction of the counterbars between said bars.

The roller 85 has a generally cylindrical shape and is provided with two stu shafts 86 revolving respectively into ball bearings 87 fitted in two bearings 88 rigid with the frame 1 of the machine. The diameter of the roller 85 and the level of the axis of its bearings are such that the cylindrical surface of said roller engages tangentially the upper surface of the shaping bars 48 with a view to cutting out any deformations of said bars in a vertical direction. The breadth of the roller is slightly less than the length of the uncovered section of the bars, that is than the spacing between the cooperating edges of the flanges of the upper links 45. The cylindrical section of the roller carries at each end, a series of teeth 91 or 92 engaging the gap between the bars in the vicinity of the ends of the latter which are rigidly fitted inside the links and it is also provided in its medial transverse plane, with a third series of teeth 93 adapted to hold each bar within an outline the projection of which on a horizontal plane, is accurately rectilinear in spite of the sag which may be given to it by the tensioning of the threads, and this is all the more true since the bars are very thin with reference to their length.

The notches 70 and provided in the :counter bars and in the keys, as referred to hereinabove, are intended to allow the passage of said central series of teeth 93 rigid with the roller 85. Furthermore, the spacing between the two extreme series of teeth of the roller is greater than the length of the counter-bars. In the cylindrical surface of the roller, are cut grooves 94 along generating lines located between those extending through the three aligned series of teeth 91, 93 and 92 (FIG. 19a). Said grooves are adapted to provide a passage for the upper ends of the counter-bars 67 when the latter rise above the upper surface of the bars 48, as will be disclosed hereinafter.

In registry with the first horizontal section 82a of the slideways controlling the rising and sinking of the counterbars, there are provided two combs 96 and 97 (FIG. 20) adapted to guide the threads 11 as they enter the machine. Each comb is constituted by a cylindrical roller such as 96 (FIG. 21), the diameter of which is small with reference to its length, and which is provided with annular grooves 98 adapted to be engaged by the threads 11 while two pivots 101, 102 rigid with said roller, revolve each, in a support such as 103 (FIG. 21) secured to the corresponding slideway 36. One of said pivots, 101, is rigid with the roller 96, while the other is slidingly carried in an axial bore 104 formed in said roller, said second pivot 102 being urged outwardly by a spring 105. The cutting means illustrated as a whole in FIGS. 22 to 25, are 1ocated at 5, in FIG. 4.

Said cutting means include an outer frame 111 constituted by a bottom 112, two vertical walls forming double slideways 113, 114 and provided respectively with 

1. A MACHINE FOR PRODUCING YIELDING STRIPS IN WHICH ARE ANCHORED THREAD-LIKE LOOP-SHAPED ELEMENTS, COMPRISING A BODY, A FIRST ENDLESS CHAIN FITTED IN SAID BODY AND INCLUDING A NUMBER OF PARALLEL TRANSVERSE SHAPING BARS, A SECOND ENDLESS CHAIN INCLUDING A NUMBER OF PARALLEL TRANSVERSE COUNTER-BARS AND A STRAND OF WHICH EXTENDS IN SAID BODY IN PARALLELISM WITH A STRAND OF THE FIRST CHAIN, MEANS DRIVING THE TWO CHAINS TO MAKE SAID PARALLEL STRANDS PROGRESS LONGITUDINALLY, THE INTERVALS SPACING THE SHAPING BARS AND THE COUNTER-BARS BEING SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL TO THE BREADTH OF THE COUNTER-BARS AND OF THE SHAPING BARS RESPECTIVELY AND FACING SAID COUNTER-BARS AND SHAPING BARS RESPECTIVELY, MEANS FOR GUIDING A SHEET OF THREADS BETWEEN THE TWO CHAINS TO LAY IT OVER THE ALTERNATING SURFACES OF THE SHAPING BARS AND COUNTER-BARS, MEANS URGING IN SUCCESSION THE COUNTER-BARS AND THE SECTIONS OF THE SHEET OF THREADS EXTENDING OVER SAID COUTER-BARS INTO THE INTERVALS BETWEEN THE COOPERATING SHAPING BARS, MEANS ADAPTED TO LAY, OVER THE CONTINUOUS SURFACE FORMED BY THE ALTERNATING SEQUENCE OF SURFACES OF BARS AND OF COUNTER-BARS CARRYING CORRESPONDING SECTIONS OF THE SHEET OF THREADS, A LAYER OF A VISCOUS YIELDING PLASTIC MATERIAL TO EMBED IN THE LATTER SAID SHEET SECTIONS CARRIED BY THE COUNTERBARS, MEANS FOR SHIFTING THE COUNTER-BARS AWAY FROM THE BARS CARRYING THE LOOPS OF THREADS FORMED BY THE REMAINING INTERMEDIATE SECTIONS OF THE SHEET OF THREADS, AND MEANS FOR SEPARATING THE SHAPING BARS FROM THE PLASTIC SOLIDIFIED LAYER IN WHICH THE LOOPS OF THREADS ARE ANCHORED THROUGH THE FIRST-MENTIONED SECTIONS OF SAID SHEET. 